Services

In addition, you will also have the opportunity to conduct trainings and further enhance your resume and advertise your business, if applicable.

Child care

Children 13 to 17 are encouraged to assist during trainings for community service hours. Adults, who will need to have background clearances on file, will receive an in-kind receipt so hours may be considered as a tax donation.

Every year we host an event to celebrate all the people whose hard work makes the work we do possible.

TESTIMONIALS:

"We are delighted to have Kayla's Village working in our community. This small program, which operates without paid staff, has already had a strong influence. Kayla's Village offers quality training for both foster parents and social workers, increasing the opportunity for both groups to build their skills and expertise. Additionally, Tonya is a great team player, always willing to partner with and support the work of others. Recently we co-hosted a training for social workers and foster parents. Previously it had been hard for us to interest social workers in coming out on a weekend for these training experiences. Through our partnership with Kayla's Village, we were able to have a great turnout and a wonderful training."

"My name is Kenya Coleman, President of Black Pearl Therapeutic Agency, LLC (BPTA). I am writing this letter to express my heartfelt appreciation for Ms. Logan and the work she is doing through Kayla’s Village. I first learned of Kayla’s Village during the Healthy Families/ Thriving Communities Collaborative Council Annual Conference and 10th Anniversary Celebration. Then, Ms. Logan shared her vision of Kayla’s Village as a vehicle to support caregivers and service providers. Since that time, I have happily volunteered my services and presented It Takes a Village: The Importance of Engaging Families, on February 1, 2008; and, I look forward to presenting on Reactive Attachment Disorder in the near future. I unreservedly assist Ms. Logan and Kayla’s Village in whatever capacity I can because I am convinced that Ms. Logan is committed to positively impacting the lives of children by ensuring that their caregivers and service providers are trained by competent professionals in best practices. Ms. Logan is passionate about her cause and her enthusiasm translates to service delivery.

I tender this letter without reservation on behalf of Ms. Logan and Kayla’s Village as testimony to the good work she is doing throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area."

Ms. Kenya Coleman, PsD, LICSW, LCSW-C

"When Tonya Logan asked me to become an Advisory Committee member of Kayla's Village, I felt honored and excited because I had been inquiring of ways to volunteer my time to help children outside of a school setting. I felt somewhat apprehensive since I did not know much about adoption, social work, or foster parenting. After attending our first meeting, I felt excited and motivated realizing that a passion for helping children, commitment, and patience were common goals I shared with the other members.

Last November, I attended the 10 Year Anniversary Event for the South Washington/West of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative with Tonya. I had the opportunity to meet influential people and learn about the great successes of a collaboration that was unfamiliar to me.

One of my colleagues conducted a parent training for Kayla's Village over the summer. Working with her outside of school strengthened our friendship, and I learned valuable information about alternatives to overmedicating children. She shared stories and facts that are crucial for all parents, guardians, and educators to be cognizant of.

The goal of any organization is to touch lives and reach out to as many people as possible. Whether we help a handful of people, hundreds of people, or thousands of people, the beauty of it all is that we are making an impact. Sometimes the greatest impacts we make are the ones we do not realize or the ones we discover years down the road."

Nicole Mellonas, Educator

" I would like to express my support for Kayla’s Village. My life as a social worker in the D.C. Foster Care System has been enriched by the positive experience I have had since I began participating in Kayla’s Village.

I attended the information meeting in September 2007. Since that time, Kayla’s Village has produced newsletters monthly, which advertise the monthly trainings for both parents and workers. As I work with a private foster care agency, not only can my foster parents get the required training hours -- with free child care provided -- but I am able to obtain my needed CEUs so that I, too, can maintain my credentialing. In addition to receiving the training, I am able to network with colleagues and thus continue to develop additional resources. At a recent training, I learned about a new program at DC Child and Family Services Agency which is designed to serve the needs of teens who are typically difficult to place. I immediately saw youth on my caseload who may one day benefit from this program as well as foster parents who might want to participate in the program.

I know that all the evaluations received from Kayla’s Village members are taken seriously as several of my foster parents have commented that they recognize how the trainings are tailored to their needs and interests. Kayla’s Village has been a great support to those connected to child welfare as well as those simply interested in being part of the "village." I am happy this organization was created because this endeavor is needed. Kayla’s Village serves an important function in the world of child welfare. Foster parents and professionals need support, trainings, and opportunities to network to forge relationships that will ultimately benefit the children and families we serve. The longer Kayla’s Village is around, the more obvious its existence will be deemed an indispensable element in the D.C. Foster Care System."

Charles Wilkinson, LGSW

Kayla's Village is a wonderful source of support for parents and social workers. Many of "the children that come into foster care are coming from traumatic situations. Often, as parents, we feel like we are alone in this situation and are sometimes at our wits end. With Kayla's Village behind us, we never feel alone.

The trainings are very helpful as well. They give us insight and strategies to help us cope and resolve situations. The fact that they offer child care is an added perk since this makes it so much easier for parents to attend.

The monthly newsletter is a great way for us to exchange information. It is a great way for people to feel supported and appreciated for the work they do. The informative parent-led support group is a plus. To hear other parents share similar experiences gives you a different perspective. The parent leader helps us to resolve issues which is helpful."

﻿Kim Sneed, Reunified Birth Parent

"The North American Council on Adoptable Children is an international, non-profit organization. Our mission statement: “NACAC promotes and supports permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. and Canada who have been in care, especially those in foster care and those with special needs.”

For the past five years, Kayla’s Village has been an active member of NACAC’s Community Champions Network project. Working in jurisdictions throughout both countries, the CCN project partners with parents, professionals, youth, and community members to ensure accessible and available post-adoption services. As a member, Kayla’s Village provides opportunities for the families it serves, shares information and resources, provides encouragement and support, and in a host of other ways makes the foster and adoption experience a better one for all the families served."

Kim Stevens, Community Champions Network, Project Manager

North American Council on Adoptable Children

"I am writing to thank you for the wonderful work accomplished through Kayla’s Village. Your dedication to providing regular quality training is impressive. As a partner organization, FAPAC appreciates your commitment to assisting families and colleagues whenever you can as well as your active role in the Resource Parent Training Coalition. Kayla’s Village is a critical part of the child welfare community. Thanks for all you do!"

Margie Chalofsky, FAPAC Executive Director

"Kayla's Village has been an essential support to both parents and professionals working in and with the foster care system. It also offers assistance to parents and grandparents caring for those not system-involved. In the past, there was a noticeable absence of training and support for those working with our most vulnerable youth. Kayla's Village greatly narrowed the gap."

Jeffrey Davidson, LCSW-C, LICSW

Executive Director, CE You LLC

Are you interested in being a trainer?

Are you interested in assisting with child care?

Do you have teenagers who could benefit from community service hours by assisting with child care?